Dose-response relationship with venlafaxine

Considerations when selecting a first-line antidepressant agent include the potential for achieving greater response with increasing dosages, thereby allowing greater flexibility in dosing. The efficacy and dose-response of venlafaxine, a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was evaluated in two placebo-controlled studies. Both studies demonstrated that venlafaxine was efficacious (as determined by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions scale scores), as well as safe and tolerable when administered either twice or three times daily in the treatment of outpatients who had major depression. In addition, evidence of a dose-response relationship was shown in both studies.